U.S. To Spend $2.1 Billion On GlaxoSmithKline-Sanofi Covid-19 Vaccine

TOPLINE

The U.S. agreed to spend $2.1 billion on a joint experimental Covid-19 vaccine from  GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi to supply the nation with an initial 100 million doses, bringing the country’s total vaccine spend under Operation Warp Speed to over $8 billion. 

KEY FACTS

Big Number

Over $8 billion. That’s how much the U.S. has spent to fund, manufacture and secure hundreds of millions of doses of Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca, according to the New York Times.

Crucial Quote

“Today’s investment supports the Sanofi and GSK adjuvanted product all the way through clinical trials and manufacturing, with the potential to bring hundreds of millions of safe and effective doses to the American people,” said U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar in the GSK-Sanofi announcement. 

Key Background

Last week, the U.S. bought 100 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for less—at $1.95. Even though this vaccine is at later clinical trial phases and could be available to U.S. patients under Emergency Use Authorization as early as October, it’s powered by messenger RNA, a biotechnology that has yet to be used in FDA-approved vaccines. On the other hand, the GSK-Sanofi vaccine is made from recombinant DNA, a technology that powers approved vaccines, including ones for hepatitis B and human papillomavirus, says NIAID. The technology works by enabling DNA to encode an antigen, which provokes an immune response—then purifies the antigen, per Nature.

Further Reading

Sanofi and GSK selected for Operation Warp Speed to supply United States Government with 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine (GlaxoSmithKline)

Recombinant vaccine (Nature)

Vaccine Types (NIAID)

Pfizer Gets $1.95 Billion U.S. Deal For 100 Million Doses Of Planned Covid-19 Vaccine (Forbes)

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